Drake And Scull Wins Saudi, UAE Contracts Worth $100m

The contracts include Dhs287 million worth of work awarded by Al Rajhi Bank to construct facilities in Riyadh.

Occidental Sees $200m Q1 Hit Due To Qatar Maintenance

First-quarter sales volumes will be down by around 40,000 bpd partly due to production issues in the MENA region.

Investcorp Struggling To Sell Armacell Amid Lower Bids

Potential buyers Charterhouse, HgCapital and Pamplona were likely to submit bids 100 million euros under its price tag.

Dubai’s ICD Launches $2bn Loan Refinancing

The five-year senior unsecured financing will replace the remaining $2 billion five-year tranche of an original $6 billion loan.

Qatar’s CBQ To Buy 71% Of Turkey’s Alternatifbank

The value of the transaction is seen at around $460 million.

Mobius Wants To Double Investments in Saudi Arabia

Veteran emerging markets investor Mark Mobius remains bullish on the Middle East region.

Qatar Not Considering Bid For Marks & Spencer – Source

Reports claimed Qatar Investment Authority was seeking a consortium for an £8 billion takeover of the British retail store.

Exclusive: Starwood Eyes Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi

Starwood confirms discussions are ongoing as market speculation increases that the striking hotel will soon be converted to a Sheraton

Ramadan In UAE To Start On July 10

The crescent moon will be seen on July 9, signaling the start of Ramadan the next day. Eid Al Fitr holiday will commence on August 9.

Trade Between Arab Region, Brazil Hits $26bn In 2012

Trade flows between the regions increased by 3.26 per cent in 2012 compared to the previous year.

Air Seychelles Records $1 Million Profit

Etihad’s 40 per cent stake in the airline a year ago has produced a financial turnaround

Dubai Developer Emaar’s 2012 Apartment Sales Double

Emaar made a revenue of Dhs2.5 billion from apartment sales last year, compared to Dhs1.1 billion in 2011.

Current Oil Prices Will Not Deter Asia Growth – Saudi’s Naimi

Naimi’s comments follow recent warnings that weak economic growth could hobble global oil demand this year.

Libya Halts Telco Management Contract – Etisalat CEO

Etisalat is keen on winning the contract to run state-owned Libyan Post, Telecommunication and Information Technology Co.

Saudi Shipper Bahri Eyeing Debut Islamic Bond

HSBC’s Saudi Arabian unit, JP Morgan Chase and Samba Financial Group are frontrunners to manage the sukuk sale.

Qatar To Increase FIFA 2022 Spending In 2013

Government spending related to the World Cup will hit almost $115 billion between now and 2022, says new study.

UAE Opens World’s Largest Concentrated Solar Power Plant

The 100-megawatt, grid connected power plant, Shams 1, will generate clean energy to power 20,000 homes in the UAE.

Saudi Telecom CEO Khaled al-Ghoneim Resigns

Ghoneim, who was appointed CEO in June 2012 is the latest STC senior management executive to quit.

Qatar Seeks Partners for $12.1bn Marks & Spencer bid

Qatar Investment Authority has reportedly approached several large private equity houses to jointly bid for British retailer Marks & Spencer.

Small Gas Leak Near Kuwait’s Burgan Field Controlled

Kuwait Oil Company said no one was injured by the gas leak.

Saudi Electricity Picks Banks For Dollar Sukuk Sale

Saudi Electric last tapped the international bond market in March 2012 with a $1.75 billion two-part Sukuk.

Saudi Aramco, Dow Petchem JV Launches Islamic Bond Offering

The Sukuk forms part of a $12.5 billion debt package currently being raised to fund the construction of a $20 billion petrochemical complex.

Dubai’s First Al-Sufouh Tram To Arrive In December

About 52 per cent of the overall project has been completed so far, say officials.

UAE Central Bank Orders Speedy Mortgage Review

The central bank has previously backed off from enforcing regulations after complaints from the banks.

Qatar’s Ooredoo In Loan Talks For Maroc Tel Bid

The Qatari firm is in talks with around 9-10 banks about committed financing for a bid.

REVEALED: Top 10 Middle East Advertisements In 2012

A cross-section of the best print, TV and integrated ad campaigns from across the region.

Bahrain Crown Prince Must Prove Himself By Actions – Wefaq

Sheikh Ali Salman, leader of the Shi’ite-led group al-Wefaq, says he welcomed Crown Prince Salman al-Khalifa’s appointment.

Locals Venture Into Business In Changing UAE

Is the government finally succeeding in persuading a significant number of local citizens to start their own firms?

UAE’s Dana Gas Sukuk Restructuring Vote Postponed To March 21

Abu Dhabi-listed energy company Dana missed repayment of its $920 million sukuk that matured in October last year.

Dubai Lynx Awards 2013 Announced

Y&R Dubai bags agency of the year award for the third year in a row.